Sentinel staff report–
Following the adoption of a permanent ordinance earlier this year, legal fireworks can only be discharged between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. in Citrus Heights.
Those in violation of the new ordinance can face a first-time violation fine of $750, followed with a $1,000 fine for any subsequent violations.
During a vote on the ordinance in April, councilmembers Bret Daniels and Steve Miller favored a lesser $250 fine for after-hours use of “safe and sane” fireworks, while the majority opted for the more hefty fine to be applied equally to both illegal fireworks and after-hours discharging of legal fireworks.
Vice Mayor Tim Schaefer said the heftier fine was necessary, describing fireworks-related problems as being “a little out of control right now.” He also hinted at a complete fireworks ban if residents don’t comply with the new ordinance.
When passed originally as a last-minute urgency ordinance just prior to the Fourth of July last year, the law was only in effect for 45 days and then extended for a maximum of 10 months and 15 days. It was set to expire on June 23, prompting the Police Department to recommend the City Council make the ordinance permanent with a formal vote on April 14.
From last year: Citrus Heights PD can now cite landlords, renters where illegal fireworks are set off
Previously, authorities had only been able to cite the person who actually discharged an illegal firework, whereas hosts of events where fireworks are discharged can now be cited. Police said officers in the past have often been unable to document sufficient evidence to prove who actually ignited the firework, making the “social host” regulations a useful tool for cracking down on illegal fireworks.
Hosts are defined as owners of private property, or “any person who has the right to use, possess, or occupy public or private property under a lease, permit, license, rental agreement, or contract; or any person who hosts, organizes, supervises, officiates, conducts, or accepts responsibility for a gathering on public or private property.”
The ordinance specifies that a host does not need to have been present at the event in order to be deemed responsible for response costs, stating: “This chapter therefore imposes vicarious as well as direct liability upon a responsible person.”
Additionally, the ordinance says repeat violators “may be liable for response costs incurred in responding to the unpermitted discharge or illegal storage of fireworks.” Response costs are defined as “those reasonable and necessary costs directly incurred by public safety personnel for a response to an unpermitted discharge or illegal storage of fireworks,” including salaries and benefits paid to public safety employees.
Hosts are also exempt from responsibility if they initiate contact with police or fire officials “to assist in removing any person from the property or terminating the activity in order to comply with this chapter” as long as the request was made prior to a complaint being lodged about illegal fireworks.
Read the full ordinance: click here.
Fireworks labeled “safe and sane” are not banned by the ordinance and will continue to be able to be bought, sold and discharged in Citrus Heights, beginning at noon on June 28 and continuing through July 5 at 11 p.m.
Want to share your thoughts on fireworks in Citrus Heights? Submit a letter to the editor online by clicking here.
Sentinel staff report--
Following the adoption of a permanent ordinance earlier this year, legal fireworks can only be discharged between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. in Citrus Heights.
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